High Hopes

I listen to Radio 2 in the mornings on my way to work every day.  I know that it's not the "coolest" station, but I just can't help myself when they start playing show-tunes!  Oh gosh, did I just give away what a big dork I am??  Oh well, what can I say?  They're so catchy!  Okay, anyway, I was listening this morning and I heard Frank Sinatra singing "High Hopes".  It's a so-so song in my opinion, but that's really not the point...the point is that it got me thinking.  What are my high hopes for this deployment?  What do I aspire to do with all this time I have on my hands?  What are some ways that I can make this time "fly by" like everyone keeps saying it will?  That's where my list comes in.  Now, if you know me at all, you know that I'm a planner.  Notice that I said "planner" not "doer" because somewhere in between the "planning" and the "doing" I tend to get a little sidetracked!  So, here are some of my plans (in no particular order)...

1.  Stop drinking carbonated drinks ~ I started with this one b/c I've already done it, and I thought that it was important to start off on the right foot :)

2.  Read "Pillars of ther Earth" ~ I've heard it's fabulous, so I bought it about 2 months ago.  So far, it's just been taunting me from the side of my bed!

3.  Take at least 2 trips ~ So...I have Spain covered.  Any takers on another one???  Who wants to travel??

4.  Lose some "poundage" ~ Hmmm, this could be tough considering my love affair with chocolate!

5.  Treat myself to a Hot Stone Message ~ I think 2 years without one is entirely too long!

6.  Be a better friend ~ I'm horrible, I mean HORRIBLE at phone calls.  I have some of the most wonderfully supportive & amazing girlfriends who hear from me, ohhh, maybe once a month.  I really want to commit to being better about that.

7.  Finish the rough draft of my children's book ~ Even if I never send it off, I think that just finishing it will be sweet enough.

8.  Actually take Kelly up on some of her offers to go to some aerobics classes ~ Ok, so maybe just one :)

9.  Learn how to use my camera ~ Chris got me an awesome camera about a year ago, and I have yet to figure out how to use all it's fun gadgets!

Hopefully I'll get to all of these things...but even if I don't, at least I had a plan :)

Cheers, 

Amy   

Just a few things...

I'm rounding out the second week with Chris being gone, and life in this tiny little village is finally starting to settle down.  When I arrived home from saying good-bye to him (very sad day indeed!), I found some beautiful yellow and red flowers sitting on my front door step from my friends in my bible study group.  I am proud to say that those little guys are still kickin', and they put a smile on my face every time I get out of my car.  Those flowers are a constant reminder of the support system that I have here.  One of the things I love the most about being a military wife is the sense of community and togetherness that I feel each day.  We're all in the same boat.  We all miss our loved ones & worry about them while they're away.  We all get lonely sometimes, and have moments where just about everything seems to be going wrong.  But in return we all have each other to lean on, and talk to, and celebrate with when those wrong things suddenly turn out okay.  It's like a family, and I am thankful to be a part of it. 

These past two weeks have been spent making a new routine for myself.  I must say that cooking for one has been the hardest thing to get used to...good thing I have all those sweet friends to come over and help me eat the left-overs!!  I'm hoping to start traveling a lot more during the summer, I've had a nice long lull in my travel plans and I'm starting to get antsy!!  It will be hard to travel to new places without Chris, I so love experiencing new things with him, but I'm excited to spend some time with the girls and just do "girly" things.  I can't really see Chris lounging around all day in Spain trying to catch up on his tan!   So I'll let y'all know how it goes, and I'll be sure to post some pictures of my adventures :)

Cheers, 

Amy

A Prayer...

Fear not; for I am with you.  Be not dismayed; for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

God touched my heart with this verse recently, and I wanted to share it with everyone.  During this difficult time, I pray that both Chris and I remember these powerful words when we are fearful, dismayed, and weak.  It is His righteousness that will deliver us from those feelings, and we will be comforted with His grace.   

Much love to you all!!

Amy

The Cotswolds and a Snowy Easter!!

It's hard to believe, but we woke up Easter morning to a beautiful blanket of pure white snow covering our neighborhood!  We decided to take the Defender to church...we weren't sure that the Sunfire would make it!  After a few close calls (navigating the English roads in the snow can be pretty tricky) we finally made it in time for fantastic Easter service.  That evening, we went to the Hilburns for a potluck dinner.  Since Chris and I decided to have an untraditional Christmas feast by cooking all of our favorite mexican foods, it was awesome to get to have ham, yeast rolls, green bean casserole, potatoes and all the other traditional stuff on Easter.  The Birds, and our friend Cody also came over, which made it even cozier.  There is nothing I like more on holidays than spending time with the ones I love.  I'm so glad that the Hilburns invited all of us into their home, it was a great night!

The weekend before Easter, Chris and I decided to venture out to the Cotswolds.  We found a cute little B&B in Chipping Campden and planned on spending the entire weekend hiking around the many trails in the area.  Sadly, the weather didn't really cooperate with us, but we did get to make the 1.5 mile trek up to Broadway Tower before the clouds unloaded on us.  We also forgot our hiking boots, so we had to make do by rolling up our jeans and jumping over puddles!  It was a great hike, and we got to see some beautiful countryside on the way up.  Herds of sheep surrounded us, and I even saw some deer when we finally got to the top!  Chris climbed to the top of the Tower while I stayed securely on the ground and took in the scenery :)  It was much quicker going down, and it's a good thing because as soon as we reached our car, it started raining like crazy!  We lounged around the rest of the day visiting the quaint villages of Stow on the Wold & Bourton on the Water.  We ate at two great restaurants over the weekend, and visited Shakespeare's birthplace on  Sunday.  It was a nice, relaxing trip and exactly what we needed!

I've been tagged!

My great friend Kate recently "tagged" me, so here are some things that you might not know about me...

1) What are some of your preferences that have changed since you were young?

~When I was younger I was a SUPER picky eater. Now, I eat pretty much everything...not sure if that's a good, or a bad thing :)
~I've just discovered how much I like to travel. When I was younger, I wasn't as adventurous as I am now.
~I used to prefer to be around huge groups of people, but now I like to get together with small groups of good friends. I've learned the importance of relationships, and that it's really quality not quantity :)

2) Rank the seasons in the order you like them most.
Fall, Spring, Winter, Summer
I love the colors of Fall, so beautiful!

3) If you could only live in one city for the rest of your life, which one would it be? And if you could only live in one country (besides the USA) for the rest of your life, and never go anywhere else, where would it be?
~Somewhere in the Hill Country in Texas. Really, I'd be happy anywhere in Texas...it has my heart!
~Country...Italy. I've only been a few times, but I enjoy it more with each visit.

**If you blog, I'd love to see your answers to these questions...so Jenn & Wendy, consider yourself "tagged"!!

Answered Prayers

Do you ever feel like God sends huge, neon "signs" your way, and you just happen to be tying your shoe at the exact same moment? Or could it be that everything is so fast-paced in today's world that no matter how bright and shiny that "sign" might be, we're going to fly right by it because if we stop...well, we might miss a newer, brighter, shinier sign! This is the story of my life! I am going-going-going so fast that I sometimes forget to stop to appreciate the now. But this week has been a testament to living in the moment, and cherishing the gifts that are so lovingly sprinkled throughout our lives.
I haven't posted about it (something about that going-going-going thing), but I did get that job that I interviewed for a few months ago! My heart has longed for the opportunity to work in the non-profit field again, and I am thrilled to be working for an organization that I believe in so passionately. Obviously, answered prayer #1! Since Chris is off this week, and I have been working, I've experienced a slight sense of "bed jealousy" that tugs me back towards the warm, snuggly pillow-haven that my husband is happily hogging. But, if that is the only down-side, I'm content to settle! Another desire of mine is to write a Children's Book. Until recently, this desire was just a little nagging voice in the back of my head. But, with a little encouragement from some very sweet supporters, I've ventured out and started doing a little research. Baby step, I know...but it's something. And by-golly if there hasn't been an article in the last 3 magazines I've picked up about how to get your book published, as well as a website pop-up on my computer at work today! Ummm, hello neon, flashing sign! Yes, Lord...I'm listening :) And as if that weren't enough, my little brother found out today that he too has been offered a new job. This is extremely exciting news, and I am so very proud of him for following his heart. I might be flying by the seat of my pants most of the time, but I know good things when I see them. And at the moment, I feel like I'm surrounded.

Coming Home

Packed my suitcase and I racked my brain

Bought a ticket on a late night train

Took a taxi through the pourin' rain

I'm comin' home to you.

~Robert Earl Keen~

Well, after a few changes to the itinerary, a brief stop in Maine, and a 2 day delay...Chris is home safe and sound! I can't tell you how excited I am just to have him back in the house again. I've had to stay out of it for the past few days just so I wouldn't mess it up again after cleaning it last weekend! Oh, very sad, but very true! I'm not sure whether to take his comment, "Wow! I've never seen the house look this good!" as a compliment, or a hint at my housekeeping skills (or lack thereof)!

Anyway, all the families met up at the squadron this afternoon to see the guys land and welcome them home. We got to greet them all, and get some quick hugs and kisses in before going back up to the squadron where they could eat, visit, and recharge after their flight. It was so fun to ride out to greet them with all the other ladies & their kids. There was so much excitement, I actually felt butterflies as we ran out to the jets. Though being apart is hard, the feeling that we get when we see each other again is always so fulfilling and special. It doesn't make it easier, but it sure makes me feel incredible in the moment, and reminds me of how much I truly love my husband.

Thank you all for all your prayers over the last few months. They have been of great comfort to us both.

WooHoo!! He's home!